DOE Budget Proposal Boosts Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Funding

When the White House and Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham unveiled
DOE's proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2005 on February 2nd, both placed
special emphasis on the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.
President Bush first announced the initiative during last year's State
of the Union Address. The 2005 proposed budget includes $228 million
for the initiative, an increase of about $69 million, or 43 percent,
above 2004 funding. See the White House's summary of the proposed DOE budget.

Hydrogen holds the promise of an ultra-clean and secure energy option
for America's future, and DOE will be at the forefront of implementing
the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative in 2005. DOE's proposed FY
2005 budget for the initiative includes $173 million for the Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); $9 million for the
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology; $16 million for the
Office of Fossil Energy; and $29 million for the Office of Science.
The proposed FY 2005 budget also includes $0.8 million for the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT). This combined effort of four DOE
offices and the DOT will support the continued development of
technologies for clean hydrogen production and commercially viable
hydrogen-powered fuel cells that power cars, trucks, homes, and
businesses without the harmful effects of pollution or greenhouse
gases. See the DOE press release.